Pivotable suction device for retaining the threads in a circular hosiery machine

ABSTRACT

A system for retaining the severed threads in a circular hosiery machine, wherein the invention provides a system wherein the filaments or threads, after having been severed, are retained by suction means, preferably of the pneumatic type, which are located peripherically externally of the needles or plate and are displaceable with respect to the filament-guiding means. In cooperation with a rocker lever for the temporary retention of the thread on the suction means, the retaining device of the system allows the recovery of a length of thread through the guiding means, so that the extremity of the thread is considerably lengthened and a perfect retention by the suction means is assured.

United States Patent [191 [111 3,861,177 Mazzi Jan. 21, 1975 PIVOTABLE SUCTION DEVICE FOR Primary Examiner-W. C. Reynolds RETAINING THE THREADS IN A CIRCULAR HOSIERY MACHINE [75] Inventor: Aramis Mazzi, Firenze, Italy [73] Assignee: Nova Tec Establishment, Schaau,

Liechtenstein [22] Filed: June 11, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 369,101

[52] US Cl. 66/145 S [51] Int. Cl D04b 15/54 [58] Field of Search 66/145 S, 140 S, 134

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,496,738 2/1970 Conti 66/140 S 3,572,059 3/1971 Goady 66/l40 S Assistant ExaminerAndrew M. Falik [57] ABSTRACT A system for retaining the severed threads in a circular hosiery machine, wherein the invention provides a system wherein the filaments or threads, after having been severed, are retained by suction means, preferably of the pneumatic type, which are located peripherically externally of the needles or plate and are displaceable with respect to the filament-guiding means. In cooperation with a rocker lever for the temporary retention of the thread on the suction means, the retaining device of the system allows the recovery of a length of thread through the guiding means, so

that the extremity of the thread is considerably length-" ened and a perfect retention by the suction means is assured.

3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PIVOTABLE SUCTION DEVICE FOR RETAINING THE THREADS IN A CIRCULAR HOSIERY MACHINE The present invention is related to a system for retaining the filaments or threads in circular hosiery machines having a double cylinder or having superposed cylinders such as those used in manufacturing pantyhoses.

In conventional circular hosiery machines, whether of the double-cylinder type or of the superposedcylinders type, each thread is traditionally fed by means of suitable thread-guiding means and, whenever the thread must be excluded from the works and its feeding must be interrupted, the thread is severed by means of suitable cutting means and its terminal or extremity is held or retained by means of suitable thread-retainers until subsequently recalled in the operation.

In circular hosiery machines having a single cylinder, the thread-retainer usually a suction device is located within the bed of needles, many variants being available.

A better understanding of the invention will be had from the following detailed description thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic planar view showing a thread guiding means, a suction means and a thread cutting means for a circular hosiery machine; and

FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and show perspectively four subsequent positions of the suction means during the phase of recovery of of the thread from the temporary retaining rocker means.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, in the circular hosiery machine of the double cylinder type or of the superposed cylinders type each of the threads 1 located external to and about the circumference of the cylinders 3, being fed thereto, is guided by a thread-guiding means 2 suitably located with respect to the cylinders 3 of the circular machine. Each thread is then subjected to the severing action of a cutter, which may be an electrical filament 4 or a mechanical knife 4, and to the suction action of a pneumatic suction means 5 for retention of the thread while this is excluded from the knitting operation. The cutting means 4, 4 as well as the suction means 5 are appropriately positioned with respect to each other with one of each for acting on each of the plurality of threads 1.

According to the invention, the suction means 5 are mounted peripherically externally of the bed or plate of the needles of the cylinder 3 and are pivotably or slidably mounted so as to be displaceable firstly away from the cutting means 4, 4' and toward the thread-guiding means 2 and, subsequently, away from the guiding means 2 and back toward the cutting means 4, 4.

A rocker lever 7 is provided in cooperation with the suction means 5. Preferably, it is mounted pivotably about pivot point 8 so as to effect a temporary retention of the thread 1 as explained more fully hereinafter.

After the thread I has been severed by the cutting means 4 or 4' to be excluded from the knitting opera-' tion, the suction means 5 is displaced in an arcuate motion toward the thread-guiding means 2, while the rocker lever 7 is lifted so as not to engage the thread I. (From FIG. 2 to FIG. 3) At this point, the extremity of the thread is being subjected to the suction action of the member 5. Suction means 5 during this displacement has acted on the thread I as seen in FIG. 3. Subsequently, as the suction means 5 has reached its maximum displacement, the rocker-lever 7 is lowered on thread 1 FIG. 4 and mechanically retains the thread, temporarily, in its present position. While the thread is thus retained, the suction means 5 is returned to its original position see FIG. 5 near the cutting means 4, 4.

By means of this reciprocal and coordinated action, it is possible to obtain a recovery of a length of thread through the guiding means 2, corresponding to that sucked by means 5 during the displacement of suction means 5 toward the guiding means 2.

When the suction means 5 has returned to its original position near the cutting means 4, 4, the retaining rocker-lever 7 is released or lifted so as to disengage the thread 1. The operation is then ready tov be repeated when required by the knitting operation.

In summary, therefore, the system of this invention provides for the utilization of pneumatic suction means, mounted peripherically and externally of the needles of the cylinder and reciprocably displaceable to and from the cutting means. During the travel toward the guiding means 2, the suction means 5 sucks in a length of thread greater than that originally corresponding to the distance between the cutting means 4, 4' and the suction means 5. During the travel from the guiding means 2, it is possible to recover, through the cooperation of the lever 7, a length of thread corresponding to the length previously sucked and retained by the suction means. The displacing motion of the suction means, thus, insures the retention of the severed thread until re-employment thereof in the knitting operation.

What I claim is:

1. In a system for retaining the severed threads fed in the operation of conventional circular hosiery machines provided with thread-guiding means and threadcutting means, the improvement consisting of a plurality of suction means, one for each of the severed threads, positioned peripherically and externally of the needles bed of the hosiery machine and displaceable pivotably about a pivot point, so as to effect a reciprocating arcuate motion between the thread-guiding means and the thread-Cutting means.

2. The improvement according to claim I, wherein said suction means sucks the severed thread during travel in a first direction of said reciprocating arcuate motion .toward said thread-guiding means, the thread being temporarily retained by a rocker lever which is mechanically lowered onto said thread at the end of said travel in said first direction, the retention of said thread continuing during travel of said suction means in a second and opposite direction of said reciprocating motion to the original'starting point.

3. The improvement according to claim 2, wherein said rocker lever is mechanically pivoting about a pivot point in a vertical direction so as to engage the thread in a temporarily locked position and retain it in said locked position during travel of said suction means in said second and opposite direction and to disengage the thread when said suction means has reached its original position near said cutting means. 

1. In a system for retaining the severed threads fed in the operation of conventional circular hosiery machines provided with thread-guiding means and thread-cutting means, the improvement consisting of a plurality of suction means, one for each of the severed threads, positioned peripherically and externally of the needles bed of the hosiery machine and displaceable pivotably about a pivot point, so as to effect a reciprocating arcuate motion between the thread-guiding means and the thread-Cutting means.
 2. The improvement according to claim 1, wherein said suction means sucks the severed thread during travel in a first direction of said reciprocating arcuate motion toward said thread-guiding means, the thread being temporarily retained by a rocker lever which is mechanically lowered onto said thread at the end of said travel in said first direction, the retention of said thread continuing during travel of said suction means in a second and opposite direction of said reciprocating motion to the original starting point.
 3. The improvement according to claim 2, wherein said rocker lever is mechanically pivoting about a pivot point in a vertical direction so as to engage the thread in a temporarily locked position and retain it in said locked position during travel of said suction means in said second and opposite direction and to disengage the thread when said suction means has reached its original position near said cutting means. 